Ritz – What Was Pebble Mill?

The Ritz publicity brochure

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider for sharing this publicity brochure for The Ritz, the 1987 comedy drama series by John Godber, set in a Northern disco. The series was a television adaptation of the theatre play, Bouncers.

The series was directed by John Godber and Martin Shardlow, and produced by Chris Parr.

The series featured: Andrew Dunn, Andrew Livingston, Jacqueline Beatty, Julia Ford, Mark Addy, Martin Ronan, Paul Rider and Richard James Lewis.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Jeremy Gartland: ‘I only sat and watched ‘The Ritz’ a couple of weeks ago – fantastic! I was lucky enough to be invited to Pebble Mill to watch Episode 5 ‘Fancy Dress Night’ being filmed… I must try and dig out the photos we took during our trip.’

Jo Mainwaring: ‘I was the production secretary on this show! Thanks for finding the pics, Janice.’

Ruth Barretto: ‘I remember going into the canteen and seeing all the actors dressed up. The blonde guy in the pic was the Incredible Hulk!’

Terry Powell: ‘Ps big Mick is living round the corner from me such a small world. One of the best shows I worked on always have very fond memories it was ahead if its time it would be a huge hit now with the likes of Benidorm and Miranda out there.’

Janice Rider: ‘Well said Terry and look how well Andrew Dunn , Mark Addy , Rich Ridings and last but not least Tracie ‘Broadway ‘ Bennett have done since! Great fun show to design.’

The Ritz – TX Card

Thanks to costume designer, Janice Rider, for sharing this transmission card for the 1987, 6 part comedy series – The Ritz, set in a Northern disco.

The series was written by John Godber, and was based on his theatre play, Bouncers.

Martin Shardlow was the director, Chris Parr the producer. The series featured Richard James Lewis, Paul Rider, Andre Dunn, Andrew Livingstone and Richard Ridings.

The series was well received, and a sequel: The Continental, followed.

The following comments were left on the Pebble Mill Facebook page:

Dawn Hudson: ‘I remember Robin Midgley Asking me to read the script I was really nervous but I laughed and thought it was great. However when I watched it I was disappointed.’

Mary Sanchez: ‘I was secretary to Chris Parr at the time and remember typing up these scripts (yes on a typewriter – before computers!) It was shot in Liberty’s nightclub on the Hagley Road . It had a great cast – a real laugh , starring Mark Addy who’s a big name now!’

The Continental – photos by Willoughby Gullachsen

The Continental

Photos by Willoughby Gullachsen, no reproduction without permission.

The Continental was written by John Godber, directed by John Godber and Martin Shardlow, and produced at Pebble Mill by Chris Parr.

The drama was a sequel to The Ritz (a television adaptation of John Godber’s play Bouncers), where the staff of The Ritz, a northern nightclub, set about opening a new disco in Spain. It was transmitted in 1987.

The Continental starred Richard James Lewis, Andrew Livingstone, Richard Ridings, Paul Rider, Andrew Dunn, Frank Bruno, Martin Ronan and Mark Addy.

The pool scene was shot in the Copthorne Hotel, Birmingham.

A list of most of the crew is contained on the Script front page.

The Continental 1

The Continental, Script front page